Alchemist
Nexus APD32A
CD Players

Product Description

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Chris Rowe
a Audio Enthusiast

Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000

Bottom Line:

This is not only a superb looking machine, it has a sound that realy pulls the listener in.Mine is used through a tweaked Edison 60 valve amp & Callas Operatta spkrs. The Alchemy replaced a Marantz CD-63 / Cambridge Audio DacMagic100 (with more tweaks) and the increase in bottom, mid and unfortunately, top-end from the Alchemy machine was massive. Unfortunately, because the treble is a bit harsh at times - i put this down to poor quality recordings, as this CD player really does reveal the musical content of a disc. On a good recording though, it sings. You need your feet tied together to keep them still, when there's a good quality disc on the go.Downsides? - the fiddly arrangement of f/p controls, and the fact that the display is set so deep that it can't be seen unless you look at it from straight ahead. And the remote is the worst i've ever seen - instead i use the r/c from my Thorens tuner, as it will also control the CD.Buy this CD player - it sounds fabulous, and that's why you have one in the end.

I stumbled upon this CD player at the wonderful and low-key Alternative Audio, in Dundas, Ontario. I was originally set on the Rega Planet andauditioned it with a variety of recordings ranging from Ry Cooder and Eric Clapton to the haunting Finnish Candomino Choir. The Rega isa wonderfully constructed machine, my children could never break it. But the presentation seemed too laid back; as I listened I kept wantingmore. So I switched to the Cambridge Audio CD6. This sounded quite abit better, more forward, more apparent detail. Promising, cheaper too!Then looking behind me, I saw the Alchemist Nexus. Out of curiosity I asked to hear it, and Mike (the owner) graciously obliged. Man what a difference.To my ears it far surpassed the Rega and CD6.Lots of sparkling detail,a beautiful velvet quality to female voices and a solid three dimensional presentation of men's. With the Candomino version of Finlandia I could hear the individual voices even picking out the lone baritone who for a few bars floats above the others. It never seemed etched or aggressive, at all timesthe sound was natural and relaxed. I was hooked and brought in my wife, daughter and speakers the next day for a second audition. Even on my aging LS3/5A's the magic was still there, reminiscent of my Linn LP12. My wife agreed with my evaluation on the first two players. She thoughtthe CD6 the most promising of the two. Then I switched to the Nexus.Her smile said it all. This was music and a sound we could both happilylive with. It made every instrument sing, so we bought it. The InnerearReport has a positive review describing the technology of the player. It's british and I believe designed by Tim Paravicini. Aesthetics are excellent. Zen-deco if you can picture it. Documentation is meagre butadequate. Remote is also just adequate. But the sound is wonderful!Many thanks to Mike of Alternative Audio.